WILDER SLAMS POOLS ‘JOKERS’
CHRIS Wilder accused Hartlepool players of being “a joke” after Northampton’s ten-game winning run was brought to a grinding halt.
Pools, floundering at the foot of the table, more than matched the runaway leaders throughout an entertaining draw. But after watching Pools lose to Stevenage at Victoria Park almost three weeks previously, Wilder was far from impressed.
Defeat that night was enough for boss Ronnie Moore to lose his job. He was replaced by Craig Hignett, and Wilder said: “They were excellent. If they ran around like they did today for the previous manager he’d still be here.
“I know there is always a reaction and I like Craig and (first-team coach) Curtis Fleming. They’re really good guys who try to play the right way.
“But I came to watch them against Stevenage and they never tried a leg, and that is a bit of a joke to me.”
The Cobblers remain ten points clear of second-placed Plymouth at the top of League Two, and 18 ahead of the play-off zone. Promotion looks assured, but they won’t get many tests as difficult as this one.
Pools have improved under Hignett in his four games in charge and the difference in outlook was clear.
Direct chances were rare in both penalty areas, with neither keeper really called into action.
Pools had a strong penalty appeal rejected on 21 minutes when Jake Gray was bundled over in the penalty area by Danny Rose after cutting past the covering midfielder on the touchline, but referee Mark Haywood was having none of it. Then, from a deep Carl Magnay cross, Pools attacker Nathan Thomas headed across goal and over.
Moments later Thomas, signed last month from Mansfield, raced down the left but his low cross was spooned over his own bar by Zander Diamond under pressure from skipper Billy Paynter.
The Cobblers’ first chance came on 41 minutes, when Rose’s shot was sent wide by Nicky Featherstone.
Pools kept pressing and Paynter won possession, fed Brad Walker but he picked the wrong pass as Luke James went away to ruin a promising attack.
Both defences remained on top and the only half-chance came when Pools keeper Trevor Carson gathered a bouncing John Marquis volley.
Hignett, with two defeats, a win and a draw from four games in charge, said: “It’s pleasing. After the week we have had on the training ground I’ve seen what we are capable of and to see it happen on the pitch is good.
“Team shape and defensively we were outstanding. We could have been better on the ball, but they are on a great run.
“The crowd realised what a good performance it was. It was hard to tell who was top and bottom. It was a big challenge.
“Performances are getting better and we carried on from last week at Luton. If we carry it on to the end of the season
and we will be fine.’’